In all, the sales of cars in January-August 2017 were driven by the acquisitions made by companies, 64% of the total, compared with 36% by individuals.
On the other hand, the share and volume of purchases made by individuals rose from 30% to 36% and by 36% compared with January-August 2016. The 36% growth in volume was higher than the overall growth rate of the market in the first eight months, 14.5%, according to the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA) data.
The figures show that the new sales rose mainly because of purchases made by individuals, more and more independent of the „Rabla” clunkers program, APIA officials say.
Breaking the data down by month, 43% of the sales in August were made to individuals, while June saw this year’s record high, 54%, when the clunkers program started. A rise in the share of car sales to individuals was recorded as early as April.
While sales to individuals stood at only 21% of the total in January and February and 12% in March, in April, they rose to 32% and then went up further to 43% in May, which is significant, considering the clunkers program had not yet begun.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)